HBO’s pirate-centric romantic comedy wonderland, Our Flag Means Death, has inarguably become the breakout hit of the year. It even managed to best the Disney-Marvel juggernaut and beat out Moon Knight for most in-demand series, two weeks in a row—both of which came after its finale. #RenewOurFlagMeansDeath has been trending on social media for just as long. Yet HBO has been eerily aloof on whether or not their new hit will get a second season. Previously, I assumed the silence had to do with some kind of technical hangup, like negotiations around series actor/producer Taika Waititi’s busy schedule, but nope. Turns out, Waititi and creator David Jenkins are just as stumped as we are.
In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Waititi and Jenkins were asked for an update about the renewal. “I don’t know anything,” Waititi said, quite plainly. “I just think that they should because it makes sense. Also, I need to know what happens next.” Jenkins joined in: “I hope they figure it out. I hope they want to do more. I know everyone in the show wants to. Just to go on [social media] and see it trend for like two weeks feels unreal. It’s so gratifying, even not knowing if you’re renewed, to see that people liked it that much.” Yes, damn it. Yes, we do like it that much.
Reading these comments by Waititi and Jenkins really took me by surprise. It very much seems they’re saying that HBO hasn’t even talked to them. It’s as if HBO may be ghosting the creative team behind its newest popular series that has truly unprecedented levels of engagement. Even if you think of the phrase “HBO executives” and imagine a bunch of straight, white, conservative men on the top of a Manhattan skyscraper with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, wearing luxury-brand suits as they lean back in ergonomic chairs which are way more expensive than they look as they take a puff from a Cuban cigar, using the word “bottom line” more times than necessary … Even if that’s what you imagine HBO executives to be like, money is money. And Our Flag Means Death would make them a lot of money if it’s renewed. And so I say to them: take it, you well-dressed fools who can afford to have vacations. Take my money, a month at a time.
As the fandom around Our Flag Means Death continues to grow and blossom by the day, I have no doubt that pressure via beautiful fan art and passionate word-of-mouth recommendation will continue to grow. I know I personally open most conversations these days with, “Have you watched Our Flag Means Death?” And if you have, and you want season two right now, I will then continue to recommend biding your time with more emotionally empathetic pirates by watching One Piece.
(image: HBO Max)
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